Tamper-proof container closure



Sept. 2, 1969 LEROY H. ROHDE 3,464,576

TAMPER-PRODF CONTAINER CLOSURE Filed Dec. 50, 1.966 5 Sheets-Sheet lmvsmoaz L .H. ROHDE A YS.

Sept. 2, 1969 LEROY H. ROHDE 3,464,576

TAMPER-PROOF CONTAINER CLOSURE Filed Dec. 30, 1966 3 Sheets-Shem 2 L. H.ROHDE INVENTORZ United States Patent U.S. Cl. 215-42 9 Claims ABSTRACTOF THE DISCLOSURE A tamper-proof ring for securing a closure over theopen end of a container having a radial projection which lies closelyadjacent the lower terminal edge of the closure when it is fully seatedon the container in the closed position. The ring comprises a generallycylindrical sidewall, a radially inwardly projecting circumferenti'allyextending upper flange engaging over a head on the closure and aradially inwardly projecting circumferentially extending lower flangeseating under the projection on the container and means defining atleast one axial score l-ine extending the entire width of the ringwhereby upon movement of the closure in a direction to remove it fromthe container the ring fractures along said score line.

The present invention relates to container closures and moreparticularly to a truly tamper-proof closure.

The present invention relates particularly to closures for containerswherein it is desirable and necessary to seal the contents in thecontainer until ready for use by the ultimate consumer, and wherein itis desirable to have some evidence of tampering if the closure is openedprematurely. In some instances, tear caps have been proposed as asolution to this tampering problem. However, this type of closure is notsatisfactory in all circumstances especially where it is desired tore-close the container or bottle from time to time after periodicwithdrawal of some of the contents thereof.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a means fortamperproofing container-closure combinations wherein the closure is inthe form of a conventional screw cap. In some cases a band of resilientmaterial such as plastic is tightly applied over the screw cap and thecontainer, such as a bottle, covering the lower terminal edge of thecap. This arrangement has certain disadvantages and drawbacks. Forexample, it has been found that to provide an effective seal, the bandmust be tightly applied and thus, it is very diflicult to remove.

Often the band can only be removed by using a sharp instrument such as aknife or the like. This is an awkward, clumsy means for opening a bottleand sometimes results in injury to the user. Furthermore, if the band isnot applied very tightly, the screw cap may be removed and replacedwithout fracturing or breaking the band and thus, this arrangement isnot truly tamperproof under all conditions.

Moreover, the tear-off caps and these plastic bands require complicatedand expensive equipment to apply to the container.

With the foregoing in mind, an object of the present invention is toprovide a means for truly tamperproofing closures for containers whereit is desirable to reuse the closure several times after it has oncebeen removed from the container. The invention relates particularly to atamper-proof ring for use with the screw type caps used on containerssuch as bottles storing pharmaceuticals and the like. These caps usuallycomprise an annular top having a crown portion to be grasped by the userto turn the same, a depending side wall or skirt having spiral screwthreads therein to engage with complementary screw ice threads on theneck of a container and an annular bead at the lower edge of the skirtwhich projects radially outwardly slightly beyond the circumferentialtrace of the crown of the cap.

In accordance with the present invention, a tamperproof ring is providedwhich has a plurality of circumferentially spaced axial score lines, anupper inwardly directed radial flange adapted to engage over the head onthe lower edge of the skirt of the cap and a lower radially inwardlydirected flange which engages under a radial projection on the bottle.The radial projection is selectively located on the nick of thecontainer so that when the cap is seated completely in the closedposition, the bead and radial projection are closely adjacent each otherand the flanges of the retaining ring snugly embrace the bead and thelower edge of the radial projection.

Now when it is desired to remove the cap, the user simply grips thecrown and turns the cap in a direction to displace it upwardly threbyeffecting relative displacement of the bead and the radial projectioncausing a stress on the ring and ultimate separation thereof along oneof the score lines, one of the other non-fractured score lines providinga hinge so that the ring may be completely removed from the containerand discarded.

Thus, it is readily apparent that the present invention provides a meansfor truly tamperproofing container closures of the screw cap type usedon containers such as pharmaceutical bottles.

For example, whenever it is attempted to open the container, the ringwill fracture and it is impossible to reseal it thereby giving visualevidence that the cap has been once removed. It is equally clear thatthe cap may not be removed without fracturing the retaining ring.Furthermore, this tamper-proof ring is easy to apply to the containerclosure combination and is relatively simple to remove and obviouslydoes not require any sharp instruments such as a knife.

The present invention is also directed to a novel method for making atamper-proof ring of the above type so that it may be mass produced veryeconomically. In accordance with the present invention, the tamper-proofring may be manufactured from a metallic strip of material which isscored at a plurality of spaced locations and then bent to a circularshape with the ends in overlapping relation. Thereafter, the overlappedends are joined for example by welding and one of the radially inwardlyprojecting flanges formed on the ring, for example by a rollingoperation. The ring in this form is then ready to be applied to acontainer closure in the manner described above. In the present instanceone face of the strip material may be coated with a suitable layer ofmaterial which will form a bond at the overlapping ends upon applicationof heat and/or pressure.

Considering now more specifically the system illustrated in the drawingsfor carrying out the method of the present invention, a strip materialmay be supplied from a suitable roll through the nip of a pair ofrollers at a feeding station, one of the rollers having a plurality ofscoring blades at spaced locations about its periphery to apply thespaced score lines in the strip upon movement of the strip through thefeeding station. Thereafter the scored strip is guided into a circularopening of a workhead around one of a plurality of mandrels which areselectively actuatable relative to the workhead. When a predeterminedlength of the strip material is formed around the mandrel to theworkhead, the strip is cut and the overlapping ends joined at theassembly station. Thereafter the mandrel, which is one of a plurality ona rotating turret, moves the ring-like strip material out of theassembly station to a first rolling station wherein the flange isapplied to the ring. Thereafter, the turret rotates to a d dischargestation where the first ring is discharged to a suitable accumulationarea. It is noted that upon rotation of the turret and movement of themandrels through the successive stations, the strip material is beingcontinuously formed into a ring at the assembly station, rolled, anddischarged from the turret at the discharge station. This systemprovides a high speed, very efiicient means for making tamper-proofrings in accordance with the present invention.

With the foregoing in mind, an object of the present invention is toprovide a means for truly tamperproofing container closure combinations.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a trulytamper-proof closure for containers which is of relatively simplifiedconstruction and which is effective for the purposes intended, that is,to provide visual indication to show when the closure has been onceremoved from the container.

Still another object is to provide a tamper-proof closure for containerswhich is easy and economical to make and fully effective for thepurposes intended.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a simpleand effective method for making these tamper-proof closures.

These and other objects of the present invention and various featuresand details thereof and the method of making the same are hereinaftermore fully set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a container closure combinationembodyinga tamper-proof ring in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken through the cap andcontainer;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the tamperproof ring;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 4-4 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a still further enlarged fragmentar sectional view taken online 55 of FIG. 3

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of the cap and a part of thebottle showing the cap partially removed and the retaining nngfractured;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are enlarged sectional views taken on lines 7-7 and 8-8 ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating schematically apparatus for making atamper-proof ring in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on line 1010 of FIG. 9 with themandrel in an upper or extended position;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 at the cutting and sealing stationwith the mandrel lowered to withdraw the ring from the station;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are enlarged views taken on lines 1212 and 1313 at therolling and removal stations of the apparatus respectively; and

FIG. 14 is a schematic view illustrating the various elements of thesystem connected to the timing and actuating mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2thereof, there is shown a tamper-proof ring in accordance with thepresent invention on a containerclosure combination, the container 10,in the present instance, being in the form of a bottle or the likehaving a reduced neck portion 12 with a spiral thread 14 or othersimilar locking means formed thereon. As best illustrated, the end ofthe bottle has an annular radially outwardly projecting flange or finish16 spaced below the threads 14.

The closure is in the form of a cap 20 having a disclike top 22, a skirt24 depending from the top having threads 26 formed therein so that itmay be turned on to the bottle, the lower edge of the skirt 24 beingrolled to form a head 28. The top of the cap may be generally crownshaped as indicated at 30 and knurled about its periphery to facilitategripping of the cap by the user. Additionally,

a sealing member 32 may be provided in the crown portion of the cap toseat against the top of the bottle and seal the container when the capis applied thereto.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a novelarrangement for tamperproofing the cap to give a visual indication thatit has been opened and the seal between the cap and bottle broken. Inthe present in stance, the tamper-proof member is in the form of anannular member or ring generally designated by the numeral 50 havingupper and lower radially inwardly projecting flanges 52 and 54respectively. The upper flange 52 seats on and engages over the head 28of the cap 20 and the lower flange 54 snugly engages under the radialprojection 16 on the neck of the container. To this end the maximumdiameter D of the crown 30 is less than the diameter D of the innerperipheral edge of the flange 52. The ring 50 is provided with at leastone and preferably several circumferentially spaced axially extendingscore lines 56. As shown in the drawings the score lines 56 define anarea of reduced thickness in the ring extending the entire width of thering between the upper and lower flanges. These score lines 56 providedweakened fracturable areas in the ring which, as explained in moredetail below, separate upon removal of the cap. As illustrated in FIG.3, the ring 50 in the present instance, is not continuous and may beformed from a flat strip of material which is bent to circular shapehaving overlapped ends as at 60 joined together by means of a weld. Inthe present instance, to facilitate joining of the ends of the stripforming the ring, the outer surface thereof is coated with a layer 51 ofbonding material which welds upon application of pressure and/or heat. Asuitable bonding material is a thermo or pressure sensitive adhesive.

Consider now briefly the assembly of a container closure incorporating atamper-proof ring in accordance with the present invention. The capprior to assembly to a bottle usually has a straight-sided, generallycylindrical skirt and is usually applied to a filled bottle in automaticcapping apparatus wherein the sidewall is rolled to produce threads 26conforming to the threads 14 on the bottle 10. The next step afterapplication of the cap in the present instance, would be to assemble thetamperproof ring 50 over the cap. Accordingly, the ring is initially inthe form illustrated in FIG. 3 wherein only the upper flange 52 isformed and the depending sidewall is straight. The ring in this form isthen positioned over the cap on the containers so that the upper flange52 seats on the bead 28. In this position the lower edge of the sidewallof the ring 50 is rolled under the finish on the bottle (see FIG. 2).

It is noted that if desired the cap and ring may be rolledsimultaneously to form the threads 26 in the cap and the lower flange 54on the ring.

Now when it is desired to remove the cap 20 from the bottle 10, the usersimply supports the bottle 10 in one hand and grips the crown 30 of thecap with the other hand and turns the cap in the direction to remove itfrom the bottle. This turning action displaces the cap 20 axially andexerts a prying force in opposite directions on the flanges 52 and 54which creates a circumferential force causing separation of the ring atone of its weakest points, that is, along one of the score lines 56. Asillustrated for example in FIG. 8, continued upward turning of the capdivides the ring into sections which pivot at the scored areas as at 62and 64 to facilitate easy removal of the ring.

Even though the tamper-proof ring of the present invention isillustrated and described in connection with a cap made of metal, suchas aluminum, it is to be understood that the principle of the inventioncan be applied to other types of caps, for example plastic screw typecaps.

The present invention is also directed to a method of making atamper-proof ring. In accordance with this method, the ring may beformed from a continuous strip of thin gauge strip material which issuitably scored at a plurality of spaced apart locations and then cut atintervals to form short strips which are then bent to a circular shape.The ends of the short strip are then overlapped .and suitably securedtogether by means of a weld. In the present instance, the strip may becoated on one surface, the coating being of a suitable bonding materialso that it will bond to metal by application of heat and/ or pressure,thereby facilitating assembly of the overlapping ends at the weldingstation. Thereafter, the ring now in a circular form is then rolledalong one terminal edge to form one of the flanges, in the presentinstance the upper flange. The ring is now ready for assembly to acontainer closure in the manner described above.

There is illustrated in FIGS. 9-13 inclusive system and apparatus forcontinuously forming rings by the method described above. Thisapparatus, which is illustrated schematically includes a scoring stationS consisting in the present instance of a pair of cooperating rolls 80and 82, one of which is in the form of a scoring wheel having aplurality of scoring blades or elements 83 on its outer periphery atcircumferentially spaced locations. The strip material M is fedcontinuously from a supply roll through the nip of these two rollswhereby, as illustrated in FIG. 9, one face of the strip is scoredtransversely to the direction of movement of the strip. The scored stripthen passes from the scoring station S to a cutting and sealing stationS where the scored strip M is cut to predetermined lengths to providestrip segments M which are bent to circular shape and joined atoverlapping ends. The cutting and sealing station S includes a workhead85 overlying a turret 87 carrying a plurality of mandrels 89 which areindexed to move through various other stations to complete formation ofthe ring.

At the cutting and sealing station S a mandrel 89 is in an extendedposition as shown in FIG. and engages through an opening 90 in thestationary workhead 85. The workhead 85 has a slotted guide opening 92through which the strip material M is fed, being guided therethrough bystrip feed roller assembly 94. As the strip material M passes throughthe slotted opening 92, it engages the outer periphery of the circularopening 90 in the workhead, wraps around the mandrel 89 and when apre-selected length to form a ring of a given size has been fed to thecutting and sealing station S a reciprocating cutter 96 is actuated tocut the strip material. The cutter 96 is mounted for reciprocatingmovement in a direction transverse to the direction of feed of the stripmaterial and has an arcuate side edge portion 98 which seats one end ofthe strip segment M against the mandrel (see FIG. 9). Before the cutter96 reaches its fully extended position, a seating rod 100 which isnormally biased to a retracted position and which may be synchronizedwith the cutter, is actuated to an inner position to press the other endof the strip segment M against the mandrel 89 so that the ends of thestrip are in overlying relation when the cutter is in its fully extendedposition. Thereafter the overlapping ends of the strip are fusedtogether in the present instance by means of a heating element 102mounted in the workhead whose movement may be synchronized with theseating element 100 and cutter 96 to seal the ends of the strip. Asnoted above the strip has at least one surface coated with a layer ofbonding material such as a thermo or pressure adhesive to permit joiningof the ends of the strip segment M by application of heat and/orpressure. After a predetermined time has elapsed to permit fusing theends of the strip, the heating element 102, seating element 100 andcutter 96 are retracted and the mandrel 89 with the ring positioned onthe upper end thereof is lowered to the position shown in FIG. 11. Theturret 87 is then rotated to convey the ring to the rolling station Sand the next adjacent mandrel is positioned in the opening in theworkhead to receive another segment of strip material. At the rollingstation, rolling mechanism 110 engages the upper peripheral edge of thering and presses it over the upper portion of the mandrel to form theupper annular flange of the ring as shown in FIG. 12.

As shown in FIGS. 10-13 inclusive, a cylindrical sleeve 118circumscribes each of the mandrels 89 and is adapted for axial movementbetween an extended position shown in FIG. 10 to support the stripsegment at the forming and cutting station S and a retracted positionshown in FIG. 11 wherein the top edge thereof is flush with the upperface of the turret. In this position of the sleeve 118 the partiallyfinished ring is supported in proper position for rolling. It is notedthat the sleeve 118 and mandrel are movable axially relative to oneanother and suitable means are provided for this purpose to permitretraction of the mandrel in the sleeve at the discharge station asshown in FIG. 13. Simultaneously with formation of the flange on thering at the rolling station 8,, another segment of strip material isbeing formed into a partially finished ring at the cutting and sealingstation S and after both of these operations have been completed, theturret 87 is indexed once more to position the lead mandrel carrying thefinished ring to the discharge station S At this station the mandrelretracts into the turret and the finished ring is ejected from the faceof the turret by means of an air jet 120. The finished rings may besuitably accumulated in a hopper or the like.

The system further includes a timing and actuating mechanism 130, in thepresent instance illustrated schematically as being connected to variouselements of the system to effect operation thereof in the mannerdescribed above.

This timing and actuating mechanism may be comprised of a number ofconventional elements and mechanism arranged and coordinated, forexample, to effect intermittent feed of the strip material by therollers and 82 during indexing of the turret, coordinated and intertimedactuation of the cutter 96, pusher and Welding mechanism 102 in theworkhead 85, movement of the mandrel 89 and sleeves 118 relative to theturret 87 and actuation of the rolling mechanism 110, and air jetdischarge 120 at precisely coordinated intervals.

While a particular embodiment of the present invention has beenillustrated and described herein, it is not intended to limit theinvention and changes and rnodifications may be made therein within thescope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A tamper-proof ring for securing a closure over the open end of acontainer having a radial projection which lies closely adjacentthelower terminal edge of the closure when the closure is fully seatedon the container in the closed position, said ring comprising agenerally cylindrical sidewall, a radially inwardly projectingcircumferentially extending upper flange engaging over a head on theclosure and a radially inwardly projecting circumferentially extendinglower flange seating under the projection on the container and meansdefining at least one score line formed in the ring defining an area ofreduced thickness extending across the entire width of the ring betweenthe edge of the upper and lower flanges whereby upon movement of theclosure in a direction to remove it from the container, the ringfractures along said score line.

2. A tamper-proof ring as claimed in claim 1 including a plurality ofaxially extending circumferentially spaced score lines.

3. A tamper-proof ring as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ring is made ofa piece of strip material which is secured at its overlapping ends.

4. A tamper-proof ring as claimed in claim 3 wherein the ring isprovided with an outer layer of a bonding material whereby the ends ofthe ring may be secured in overlapping relation by application of heatand/or pressure.

5. In combination, a container having an opening therein with a radialprojection spaced downwardly from the opening, a closure adapted to bedetachably secured over the open end of the container, the closurehaving a skirt with a radially outwardly projecting bead adjacent itslower terminal edge closely adjacent the radial projection on thecontainer when the closure is applied tehreto and a ring fortamperproofing the container-closure assembly comprising a generallycylindrical sidewall having an upper circumferentially extendingradially inwardly projecting flange engaging over and snugly embracingthe bead of the cap and a lower radially inwardly circumferentiallyextending flange engaging under the radial projection on the containerand at least one score line formed in the ring defining an area ofreduced thickness extending across the entire width of the ring betweenthe edge of the upper and lower flanges adapted to fracture uponmovement of the closure in a direction to remove it from the containerand thereby providing a truly tamper-proof assembly.

6. The combination as claimed in claim wherein the container has ahelical screw thread adjacent the opening and the closure hascomplementary screw threads so that the closure may be removed from thecontainer by turning thereof.

7. The combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein the ring is made of astrip material and is provided with an outer layer of a bonding materialwhereby the ends of the ring may be secured in overlapping relation byapplication of heat and/ or pressure.

8. In combination, a container having an opening therein with a radialprojection spaced downwardly from the opening, a closure adapted to bedetachably secured over the open end of the container, the closurehaving a skirt with a radially outwardly projecting bead adjacent itslower terminal edge closely adjacent the radial projection on thecontainer when the closure is applied thereto and a ring fortamperproofing the container-closure assembly comprising a generallycylindrical sidewall having an upper circumferentially extendingradially inwardly projecting flange engaging over and snugly embracingthe head of the cap and a lower radially inwardly circumferentiallyextending flange engaging under the radial projection on the containerand a plurality of eircumferentially spaced score lines in the ring,each of said score lines extending across the entire width of the ringbetween the edge of the upper and lower flanges, one of said score linesfracturing during movement of the closure in a direction to remove itfrom the container and the others providing hinge means for removing thering.

9. The combination as claimed in claim 8, wherein the score lines areaxial.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,903,245 5/1933 Hogg 215 422,108,583 2/1938 Falk 215- 2,280,724 4/1942 Sharp 215 -42 2,323,4437/1943 Bennett 292256.61 2,790,286 4/1957 Snyder 215-96 x FOREIGNPATENTS 1,000,507 10/1951 France.

DONALD F. NORTON, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

